-
Chapter 4 quote (Ali and Baba)
Amir, being the narrarator of the book, describes Ali and Baba's mischief, but "in none of his stories did Baba ever refer to Ali as a friend" (Hosseini 25). Amir soon realizes that him and Hassan's friendship is similar to Baba and Ali's because Amir does not consider Hassan as his friend. The author is using this as a build up to when Amir feels like he needs to get rid of Hassan after his rape because he can not support him when Hassan can support Amir. -
Sanaubar's return
When Sanaubar returned to Hassan, Rahim Khan clarified how Sanaubar's reason for leaving was sometimes " some stories do not need telling" (Hosseini 211). In the Kite Runner, almost all the characters had at least some regret, including Sanaubar. She realizes now that what she did made her regret it, but that is in the past which means that some things are left unsaid. -
Ali and Hassan's father son relationship
On Hasssan's birthday Amir states that "like Hassan, Ali was incapable of lying" (Hosseini 44). Amir feels the need to make this apparent due to the fact that he is wealthier than Hassam, but that does not make up for the fact that Baba fails to show Amir that he loves him or approves of his behavior. -
Memories of the Important Winter
Amir realizes that he needs Hassan more than he thought because of his, "memory of the rest of that winter of 1975 was pretty hazy" after Hassan's rape (Hosseini 87). -
Baba and Amir's relationships
Amir had always looked up to Baba and when "things between Baba abd ne were already cooling off again. I think what started it was the stupid comment I'd made" (Hosseini 93). Amir would not even hesitiate to blame anything on Baba because he believes that although they have different opinions, Baba should always be right over him. He is also too afraid to argue with Baba, so he just automatically believes that he is wrong. -
new constitution proposal
Barak Khan proposed for a new constitution in Afghanistan which, "many suspected of not supporting Khan out of the government." (pbs). -
Period: to
Kite Runner & the History of Afghanistan
-
First Words
In the beginning of the book Amir elaborates on how close him and Hassan were growing up, but he touches on when they, "spoke [their] first words. [Amir's] was Baba. His was Amir. My name" (Hosseini 11). The importance of this incident will carry Amir throughout his life with Hassan and Baba and who he cherrishes more. Amir will never forget this because of how much Hassan loved him, but he loved Baba more; however, Baba loved his money. -
The killing of Khan
In 1978, "Khan is killed in a communist coup. Nur Mohammad Taraki, one of the founding members of the Afghan Communist Party, takes control of the country as president, and Babrak Karmal is named deputy prime minister" (PBS). -
Independence from soviets
"They proclaim independence from Soviet influence, and declare their policies to be based on Islamic principles, Afghan nationalism and socioeconomic justice. Taraki signs a friendship treaty with the Soviet Union. But a rivalry between Taraki and Hafizullah Amin, another influential communist leader, leads to fighting between the two sides" (PBS). -
US Alliance
In 1979, " The United States cuts off assistance to Afghanistan" (pbs) -
Kabul Escape
Amir and Baba had a rough, yet successful journey out of Kabul when "there were others, in all about a dozenm including Baba and me, sitting with our suitcases between our legs.... in a tarpaulin-covered cab of an old Russian truck" (Hosseini 110). This shows how rough and the extremes you had to go through if you wanted to get out of Kabul. Baba and Amir were fortunate, but Baba especially did not benifit from getting out of Kabul because his SES then went down. -
Beginning of being in California with Baba
Although Baba liked the idea of being the boss, it was ironic how "Baba loved the idea of America" (Hosseini 125). The irony is there because Baba loved America, but America did not love him back. This is like how Amir loves Baba, but Baba loves Hassan. Therefore, Baba is getting to experience Amir's life. -
Fleeings
In 1982, "Some 2.8 million Afghans have fled from the war to Pakistan, and another 1.5 million have fled to Iran" (PBS). -
After Amir's graduation
After Amir graduates, Baba first takes him to a bar in celebration, but it had an "acrid smell" and then Baba says, "I wish Hassan had been with us today" (Hosseini 133). Baba's low efforts to really celebrate Amir's accomplishment and shows little support shows how he eally cares more for Hassan as a son. -
Back in California
When Amir got back to California and was at a video store, he spolied the ending because in Afghanastan they always wanted to know if "the story ended in happiness" (Hosseini 357). This quote relates to the actual book and if their story actally ends in happiness. Amir was never sure that he would actually get Sohrab which he thinks could possibly mean that they have a happy ending. -
Amir went to Hazarajat
After many years, Amir had many reasons as to why he wanted to go back to find Hassan and "the biggest one, Allah forive me, was that I was lonely.. I barely knew anyone in Kabul anymore" (Hosseini 203). Although Amir did have regret about getting rid of Hassan, Hassan had never been his main priority. This quote goes to show how Amir takes Hassan for granted, always made him his second option, and didn't care as much. -
Peace Accords
In 1989, "The U.S., Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the Soviet Union sign peace accords in Geneva guaranteeing Afghan independence and the withdrawal of 100,000 Soviet troops. Following Soviet withdrawal, the Mujahadeen continue their resistance against the Soviet-backed regime of communist president Dr. Mohammad Najibullah, who had been elected president of the puppet Soviet state in 1986" (PBS). -
The fight With Assef
When Amir went back to Kabul, he later got into a fight with Assef, but when his "body was broken...[he] felt healed" (Hosseini 289). The main reason why Amir went back to his hometown was to be good again, so it was almost as if he was looking for that opportunity to find and pay back Assef after all the emotional harm he did to both Amir and Hassan. -
Taliban Rule
In 1995, "Newly formed Islamic militia, the Taliban, rises to power on promises of peace. Most Afghans, exhausted by years of drought, famine and war, approve of the Taliban for upholding traditional Islamic values" (PBS). -
The Taliban
After the war ended there was hope, but then, "the Taliban banned kite flying" (Hosseini 213). The Kite Runner consisted of many deaths, and banning kite flying was like the loss of a son for Hassan; everything he loved could be taken away, including his life. -
Chapter 1 quote
On the first page of "The Kite Runner," Amir begins to talk about the winter of 1975 when he "became what [he is] today at the age of twelve...but it's wrong what they say about the past...Because the past claws its way out" (Hosseini 1). Basically, the author is foreshadowing to how the book is going to be all about Amir's past contrasting to now as well as how important the environment you grow up in is. -
Beginning of the fight against Taliban
In 2002, " Deployment of first contingent of foreign peacekeepers - the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) - marking the start of a protracted fight against the Taliban" (BBC). -
Nato Takes Control of Security
In 2003, " Nato takes control of security in Kabul, its first-ever operational commitment outside Europe" (BBC) -
Kite Running
In Amir's quest to impress Baba with his kite running skills, he needs Hassan who he "saw run a kite for the last time" (Hosseini 55). This was a real benchmark for Amir as the build up comes for everything being their last in the winter of 1975 when everything changed. Therefore, this Kite competition meant more to him than anything because of his connection with Hassan and the need of approval from his father. -
Deal in Bonn
In 2001, "Afghan groups agree deal in Bonn, Germany for interim government" (BBC).